Matchday Three Review

Matchday Three was the most exciting yet for the Caribbean Mega League as the latest round of fixtures would bring more goals than ever before, as well as some cracking goal of the season contenders, a couple of last minute equalisers and the first sending off in the league’s history. With each game being as close as the next, there was not a drubbing in sight across the whole of the Caribbean Sea.

The main question on everybody’s lips in the build-up would be whether Jamrock Juniors could stop Juan Guillermo Vélez as he searched to add to his four goals from two games so far- and it was at the Levi Roots Arena that we’d see game of the day as Republican Rabbits had their unbeaten run halted as Daz Knapton and Tom Meadowcroft locked horns. As per the form books, Vélez took an early opportunity to lash home as he pounced on a loose ball to score an 8th minute opener that looked to set the Rabbits on their way to a third win on the bounce. Jamtastic refused to allow this early setback to get to them though and they would equalise just seven minutes later as Jabari Hylton scored on his debut. Knapton admitted in his post-match interview that team selection was bound to take a while to perfect with the nature of the way the teams have been created, but ever-present former Harbour View legend Joel Senior justified his selection for the big game by getting his first goal of the season in stylish fashion, which is enough to push the Jamaican side into the top four. You can listen to Tom's post-match rant and find out how we took the result.

Meanwhile over in Barbados we would be treated to the best all-round performance from an attacking three so far as Lydon Cato and Ronaldo Joseph assisted Kimo Sampson as he scored all three goals as Spicy Doves won their first game of the season in a roller-coaster 3-2 win against Bajan Boppers. James Bennett’s side had a shocking start, going two down within ten minutes, but they soon woke up and brought the game level as Jeffrey Williams and Greg Belle made things all square by half-time. Although there was to be only one more goal in the second-half, it was a decisive one as Sampson rounded off his performance by becoming the second player in two weeks to bang home a hat-trick.

Around the rest of the grounds there was also plenty to shout about and there were late goals galore. Redonda Rockys almost managed their first win of the season after their goal scoring duck was broken by a fierce Randolph Burton thunderbolt, but an equally outstanding hit from Reon Cuffy ensured that Dominica Dominoes stayed unbeaten with a 1-1 draw. Over in South America Jamal Creighton was on hand at the death to give Limbo Leopards a point away at Suriname Sharks in yet another 1-1 result, but stoppage time strikes weren’t guaranteed to equal success as Ajax Oranjestad’s Ricky Hodge only managed a consolation in the 1-2 defeat against Bermuda Tempest. This game at The Hidden Ground would also be the sighting of the first red card, with Francois Croes picking up two bookings to make this away day ultimately one to forget. Finally, Moko-Jumbies FC continued their steady march up the table into second with a 1-0 win at home to Vodou People.

Next week we will be treated to some big matches as “El Dominicano” sees third place Rabbits host top of the table Dominoes. In the southern reaches of the Caribbean the “Dutch Derby” kicks off as Ajax Oranjestad take on Suriname Sharks, whilst another big clash will see Jamrock Juniors heading to Trinidad to take on Limbo Leopards. Redonda Rockys will take on unbeaten Moko-Jumbies FC, Sophie Dibbens and her Spicy Doves side host Bermuda Tempest and Vodou People look to end a run of back-to-back defeats as they welcome Bajan Boppers to Papa Doc Parc.